A Younger Sister's Advice

Marissa slept on the couch beside Caitlin's bed and Julie fell asleep at the table in the same room. As the light shone through the blinds, Caitlin woke up. She saw two the people she loved deep asleep. They stayed awake with her and were there for her the previous night. She couldn't feel any more blessed. She saw Ryan quietly walk in with a bag, probably full of the Marissa's clothes, and a to-go bag full of breakfast. She put her finger to her mouth, telling him to be quiet. He walked over to sit on the chair next to her, placing down all of what he was carrying on the bedside table.

"Hey how're you feeling?" he whispered, trying not to wake Marissa and Julie.

"Better, anything in there I can eat?" she looked over to the to-go bag.

"Bacon, Egg with cheddar cheese, on a white English muffin." Ryan knew her favourite.

"Bonus points, man. Glad you know me so well." He reached in and gave her her breakfast.

"So," Caitlin said with a mouthful of her English muffin, "when are you finally gonna ask my sister to be your girlfriend?"

Ryan's eyes shot open, he was caught up guard by Caitlin's forwardness (although he shouldn't, her being this blunt practically all the time). "Umm..."

"C'mon Ryan, even a blind person can see how much you both want to be together. You've both grown up, you're not teenagers anymore, and you guys can make it this time."

Ryan still was kind of shocked. "I guess. It's just, I don't know. To be honest, I'm scared. What if we go back to our old ways? We're both just gonna end up broken hearted. I can't lose your sister again."

"First of all, you're kind of stuck with her. If you've noticed, because everyone else has, you both have this thing going on, even if you're not together, you're still together. The continuous flirting, joking around, the looks you share with one another. It's obvious you two never stopped loving one another. Secondly, isn't it worth it? Isn't finding out if you guys are meant to be, which you are, worth it? I love you like a brother Ry, but I'm gonna have to kill you if you don't hurry your ass up. Marissa may be patient with you, but I am not that patient." He laughed at her comment. Then he thought about what she said. It is worth it. She is worth it. Right?

Marissa then woke up. But her back was to Caitlin and Ryan so they didn't noticed. "I don't know" she heard him say. "Marissa and I..."

"Look. It's been years since someone has come between you. That shows some strength in your relationship now, right?" Caitlin said.

"I am not so sure. Lately, we've been kind of weird. One minute we're talking and enjoying each other's company and the next, it becomes awkward and silent."

"Did you talk about it with her yet?" He didn't respond. "Not again! Ryan, you both need to start talking to each other. I mean, you guys do, but when it comes to this, you both put it off until you fight about it then me, Seth, or Summer have to talk to you guys to fix it up." Both Ryan and Marissa knew they'd have to talk about it. Caitlin did have a point. Then Ryan felt a vibration in his pants.

"Sorry, I have to take this. It's probably Sandy checking in. I'll be right outside"

Marissa finally turned around and faced Caitlin, pretending she'd just woken up. "Hey, was that Ryan?"

"Yeah, he dropped in. He has your clothes and breakfast."

"How long was he here?" She yawned.

"Not too long. Just caught up with life and he brought me breakfast as well. Here" Caitlin reached the to-go bag and gave it to Marissa.

"Mmm, thanks."

"Don't thank me, thank your boyfriend." Marissa gave Caitlin a look he's not my boyfriend.

"Fine, I'll drop it now. But you two need to get a move on." And with that, Ryan walked in.

"Hey, Good morning. I brought you your stuff too." He grabbed the bag and gave it to her.

"Thanks, I'm just going to change then. These clothes are getting uncomfortable... Who was that on the phone?"

"Just Sandy, checking in and stuff." Marissa nodded then went to the bathroom to change.

"Hey!" Caitlin waved at Ryan to get his attention, "Remember what we talked about okay? Get a move on." Ryan just rolled his eyes. He sat back down and started eating his breakfast. Not much later, Marissa walked out in a new pair of jeans and a simple grey Berkely hoodie he got her the first year.

"Favourite jeans and hoodie, I owe you big time Atwood." She said, coming out of the bathroom. He looked at her as she did a little fashion show for him and he couldn't help but smile. Seeing his reaction, she returned the smile.

"Okay, barf." Caitlin said, pretending to gag. They both rolled their eyes then blushed.

"I need to use the washroom, excuse me." Ryan left the two sisters in the room.

"So what did you guys talk about?" Marissa couldn't help being nosey.

"Oh, nothing." Caitlin grinned cheekily. Then they both heard Ryan's phone vibrate on the table and Marissa went over.

"Probably Kirsten or something." She looked over and the Caller ID was unknown. She picked it up thinking Sandy or Kirsten's voice was on the other end.

"Hello?" She spoke up.

"Ryan?" She heard an unfamiliar voice say. She immediately hung up. It was a female's voice. Not Kirsten's, Dawn's or Summer's; it couldn't be Caitlin or her mom, they were here. Who else could it be?

"Who was it?" Caitlin asked.

"I don't know. It was a female's voice. I couldn't recognize it." She whispered. She quickly put back where the phone was and sat on the couch. "Who else could it be?"

Caitlin looked at her sister. Read what she was thinking. "Oh no you don't. Don't assume it's a lady friend. Don't go acting jealous or mysterious. Talk to him. I told Ryan before to talk to you. So just talk."

"Wait, you told Ryan what?" Marissa was now even more curious.

As Caitlin tried to come up with an excuse, Ryan walked out of the bathroom. "What'd I miss?" The sister's looked at each other and gave each other a look what now?

"Uhhh... Nothing!" Caitlin lied. Marissa innocently smiled at him. But as he sat back down and finished his breakfast, she couldn't help but get jealous. Who was this girl? Was it this Lily or ANOTHER girl?